What's New

There are several ways for you to keep updated about product changes, news releases, and other information about Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

Just select a section below to access our most up-to-date information.

We're Going Paperless for Open Enrollment
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is introducing electronic Open Enrollment kits (eKits) to replace paper kits. The transition to eKits is set to reduce waste, lessen our environmental impact, and make it easier for our customers to find information about their plan. Beginning in May of this year, all accounts will receive an eKit.

Premera Blue Cross Target of Cyber-Attack
Premera Blue Cross announced that they were the target of an external cyber-attack affecting 11 million current and former members. We are working aggressively to find out more information to support our members as Premera conducts their investigation.

Wellness Corner: The Path to Better Living Starts with Taking the ahealthyme Health Assessment!
Our health assessment can help your employees who are enrolled in a Blue Cross medical plan identify their health risks and provide suggestions on how to improve their health. Questions focus on areas of health that employees can change, such as exercise, nutrition, tobacco, safety, and stress management. Once finished, members get a detailed report on their health and how to improve it.

New Authorization Requirements for HMO and Blue Choice Plans
Starting July 1, 2015, we will require prior authorization for certain drugs when administered in a doctor's office, by a home health care provider, or in outpatient hospital and dialysis settings. This change applies to HMO and in-network Blue Choice plans. We encourage members to discuss this change with their health care providers. Members affected by this change will be notified directly no later than June 1, 2015.

Coverage for Employees Out of State
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts designs its plans around Massachusetts' laws. We can try to adjust a plan design based on other states' mandated benefits. However, some states, like Hawaii, have standards for certain account health plans that we cannot accommodate. In this situation, we highly suggest that accounts with employees in Hawaii speak with legal counsel to help decide whether residents of Hawaii should be enrolled in one of our health plans.

Anthem Cyber-Attack Communication Update
In response to the recent cyber-attack against Anthem, we are supporting our accounts and members and are working closely with Anthem to ensure that our affected members get the information and resources they need.

Anthem Cyber-Attack Member Impact
Our analysis of data provided by Anthem indicates that the personal information of approximately 375,000 of our members (mostly out-of-state) was accessed illegally in this attack.

Anthem Cyber-Attack Notifications
February 20, 2015 update: Anthem reports that they will begin to notify affected members via email as early as next week and will begin sending affected member letters in the weeks to follow.

Anthem Data Breach
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is aware that Anthem, Inc. was the target of a very sophisticated external cyber-attack, currently under FBI investigation. We are diligently working with Anthem and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association to gather more information about the scope of this issue and how it might impact your employees.

Quincy Medical Center Closure Update
The Quincy Medical Center recently announced plans to close in February 2015. Since that announcement, the closing date has been moved to December 26, 2014 instead.

Quincy Medical Center Closure
Quincy Medical Center announced plans to close on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 and we recognize the challenges this may pose to our members and the community.

2015 Plan Updates
Beginning January 1, 2015 we will be making several benefit changes to our medical and dental plan designs.

We're Updating Our Plans for 2015We will be updating our health plans to meet new state and federal requirements. We will also be expanding our product portfolio with new affordable plan designs.

IRS releases new guidance adjusting the PCORI fee dollar amountThe ACA created the nonprofit Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to help health care providers and others evaluate and compare health outcomes, clinical effectiveness, and the risks and benefits of treatments. To fund this research, the ACA is charging a fee to certain health insurers (those who offer fully insured plans) and plan sponsors of self-insured health plans.

Pharmacy Program Changes Coming in 2015Starting in 2015, commercial plans with pharmacy benefits and Medex®' plans with the three-tier pharmacy benefit will see important changes to their pharmacy program. In addition, we'll be making coverage changes to some specialty medications.

Lower Dental Out-of-Pocket Maximums To comply with Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates, we are decreasing the out-of-pocket maximums for ACA compliant dental plans sold to small groups, beginning January 1, 2015.

Limiting the Spread of the Flu VirusWe make it easy for members and their families to get vaccinated. This flu season, we're offering a range of workplace, pharmacy, and other retail-based vaccine opportunities. Coverage depends on the plan type and the nature of the care received.

CEO Andrew Dreyfus featured in The Boston Globe MagazineAt Blue Cross, we're proud of the efforts undertaken in Massachusetts to make quality health care affordable. Together, we've been able to moderate health care costs for the individuals, families and employers that call Massachusetts their home.

Get Your Healthy Actions Promotional Materials on Blue IQSM
Healthy Actions rewards participating employees for engaging in their health through financial incentives. And the more successful they are, the higher the reward for employers too. So raise awareness and promote employee participation in Healthy Actions with a new series of email templates you can send to your employees throughout the year to keep them on track.

Intoducing the Wellness Corner
This new section of the IAI will feature updates from our Prevention and Wellness Division, such as ahealthyme®secure site upgrades, employer success stories, technology improvements, and wellness tips. In this edition, we discuss our new collaboration with Fitbit®

North Adams Regional Hospital Community Visits
In response to the closure of the North Adams Regional Hospital and several affiliated medical practices, we are visiting the area on Friday, April 4th to help answer our members' questions and support the community.

New: PPO member primary care provider changes
We want our members to get the best care possible. That's why we're asking all members, including PPO members, to have a primary care provider on file. This change does not affect PPO coverage. PPO members still don't need a referral to see other doctors or specialists.

New Behavioral Health Program Available to Select Members
We're offering a new program for select members with behavioral health conditions—at no additional cost to members. The goal is to provide these members with community support services that will assist them in achieving healthier, more stable lives while reducing their health care costs.

Specialty Pharmacy Name Change
Coming January 1, 2014 there are updates to the Pharmacy On January 1, 2014, CuraScript®'', a subsidiary of Express Scripts®'', will join Accredo Health Group, Inc.®'' You can use the Accredo website and telephone number listed below for questions related to a specialty medication. This change will not interrupt or delay future refills, as only the name of the pharmacy is changing.

2014 Plan ChangesBeginning January 1, 2014 we will be making several benefit changes to our medical and dental plan designs resulting from national health care reform and state requirements.

Pharmacy Changes, Effective January 1, 2014
Coming January 1, 2014 there are updates to the Pharmacy Formulary Program. They range from medication tier status to prior authorization, expansion of our list of specialty medications not covered when administered in certain settings to a new step therapy policy.

Important Survey: Employer Group Size and Medical Loss Ratio
In July 2013, employers that have a fully insured (premium) financial arrangement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts received surveys in the mail to help us categorize employers as "Small" or "Large" to determine the medical loss ratio as defined by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

Pharmacy Formulary Program Updates
Changes to our pharmacy formulary program are coming in 2014. They range from medication tier status to prior authorization to expansion of our list of specialty medications not covered when administered in certain settings.

The Affordable Care Act and the Multi-State Option
The Affordable Care Act includes a Multi-State plan provision that requires the federal government, specifically the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to select national health insurance companies to offer health benefit plans on each state's insurance exchange.

Updates to Our Notice of Privacy Practices and Business Associate Agreements
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services further strengthened existing Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provisions with the Omnibus Rule. This rule established new requirements that impact our Notice of Privacy Practices and Business Associate Agreements.